Fashion Friday

First of all, I didn't make this jacket.

(oops, I didn't straighten it on the dress form, it really does hang straight.)

I notice more detail about finishing and construction of clothing now that I've sewn a few things.
Check out the finer points of the summer weight 3/4 sleeve jacket.

Lapel detail

Inside lapel

Welt pocket

REAL working buttonholes!

Back vent

Lining

This jacket kinda intimidates me because if I couldn't sew a jacket at least as well as this, why bother?

From where did I purchase it?
You're gonna be surprised.

Kmart!

You heard me.
Looking for quality linen tea towels once in their Martha Stewart line and nope, no more.

On the way out, the jacket caught my eye.

Paid for it and was pleasantly surprised with a 20% discount = $24!

(Not on sale now, but here's the link.)

Whatchathink?

Fashion Friday - What to Wear?

I'm not gonna profess myself to be the best dressed but after looking at too many "People of WalMart" photos, I've gotta be in the Top 20 of MY local WalMart.

NOT me

Anywho, what the hell do you wear when a dress code is nebulous, say "dressy casual" or "creative holiday"?

Some would say that "one can never overdress" but I disagree. Instead, I opt to strive for the middle. Not the bland middle but neither overdressed nor under dressed.

Example, you're packing your bag to attend a national convention and will need attire for a cocktail party. What you pack is what you'll wear because there will be no time to shop. It's not your city and folks are coming from every state. What others consider cocktail wear may differ from your idea. Ladies who don't get out much will wear a shiny an unfortunate dress that is an "interesting" mix of prom and lounge singer while some arrive in ragged out jeans and flip flop sandals. It's reallllllly easy to opt for a place in between. Nice dress pants with a pretty blouse and jewelry. Cute dress and heels. Whatever. C'mon, I don't need to draw you a picture - just don't be an extreme.

Now, as I remember, the Preppy Handbook stated the best thing to wear to any event is the exactly the entirely inappropriate thing, like your tennis whites to a brunch party or dressy clothing to the PTA meeting because you have other places to go. What a great device to scoot out of a place you don't be!

~~You're welcome~~

Recycled fashion on Fashion Friday

Remember this shiny pop top jacket I posted back in 2008? I spied it in a boutique window and dang-it-all if I didn't see a lively lady wearing it at a funtastic party recently.

PLUS she had the bag too! Hope I am as fun and cool as this 85 year old lady.

Except, I'll tell everyone that I made the jacket from my recycled cat food pate' cans.

Fashion Friday

--cool hunting.com

Or maybe Flashback Friday ~~~

Back in the day, baby sis and I loved our Tretorn sneakers, which were hard to find in a small Southern town. The only local source was the Racquet Club. The original blue, subtle white and even plaid gullwing insignia pairs were worn and worn out. We even had the allover plaid print. She had the red; I had the green/blue but with the more understated white shoe laces.

Over the years, Tretorns became more and more scarce until we converted to Polo canvas boat sneakers.

A couple years ago, a shelter magazine asked designer folk what they were buying for Christmas gifts. Kate Spade was giving Tretorn sneakers to all on her list. The Tretorn store opened in NY about the same time

Oh good, they're making those again! Requested and received a pink gullwing pair for my next birthday.
Available from Tretorn.com OR Amazon!

Not a sneaker girl? How about rain boots?

Fashion Friday

Check out the

galvanized aluminum metal heels

on these Alexander McQueen shoes.

$ 1,985.00

Makes me
wanna go rootin'
through the recycle bin,
I tell ya!

Fashion Friday

Okay, I appreciate Liberty of London as much as anyone but kinda weary of seeing every dang blog showing their Target run for the floral prints from the very esteemed English fabric house.

I picked up a couple things, in LONDON, THIRTY YEARS ago so let's just get that little nasty bit of snobbery out of the way. Sigh.

Oh, crap, forgot take photo of my English souvenirs. Karma getting me back for my arrogance.

My buddy Ernest was on a Paul Smith kick several years ago. Y'know, this look that was copied over and over again?

One day I see Ernest when what did I spy with my little eye but a pretty floral necktie.



I asked "who" he was wearing. Paul Smith.
It doesn't look like Paul Smith,

I say, as if I know more about men's fashion than Ernest, who attends fabric and fashion shows in Europe and is a buyer for a major luxury department store corporation.
It reminds me of Liberty of London, I tell him.
He patiently tells me that it is Liberty of London fabric but designed by Paul Smith.

Anywho, last week I went to Target for something else but couldn't help but to be impressed with the Liberty of London offerings. I mean, the coordination of merchandise from clothing to stationery to office organizing bins was too tempting.

Trying to fight my t-shirt and tailored inner voice, I picked up a ruffled blouse. Ruffles? Yep. I don't even like the potato chips by that name. Last time I wore ruffles was on a Gunne Sax dress and I wasn't real happy about it then.

Alright, alright, here's the blouse. You're right, the pond scum green called to me.

Except that it was hung backwards.

I liked the simple ruffle look.

This is the front.

With a cute fabric covered button and keyhole opening.

Got it home and tried it. So not me. Too ruffle-y. Not loving the sleeveless look with ruffles. Fabric where I don't want it, no fabric where I do want it. HOWEVER, thinking of making a summer blouse with a touch of femininity and getting out of the t-shirt rut.

Returned the blouse and came home with these.